Cancer-stricken rhino to be put down
KOTA KINABALU: Puntung ( pix), the Sumatran female rhinoceros, that attracted global attention last month for enduring dental surgery by a multinational team at Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Lahad Datu, is dying of squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) director Augustine Tuuga said the swelling on Puntung’s left cheek that led to the detection of an infected tooth root had worsened and two biopsies carried out postsurgery revealed the rhino was suffering from the skin cancer.
“The cancer has been spreading rapidly over the past few weeks. Specialists from several countries concur that it will be fatal with or without treatment.
“As of today, Puntung can no longer breathe through her left nostril, she can no longer vocalise, she is in pain and her condition is declining fast.
“Other than administering painkillers, there is nothing more anyone can do and we are left with no other recourse except to agree with professional medical advice and accordingly, we have authorised euthanasia,” he said in a statement here, adding that SWD plans to euthanise Puntung on June 15.
Tuuga admitted that to put her to sleep was a difficult decision to make, but specialists agreed it was the best move rather than prolonging the rhino’s pain and suffering.
Borneo Rhino Alliance (Bora) executive director Datuk Dr Junaidi Payne said those who had been involved in Puntung’s life over the past 10 years, including Bora, were devastated with the news.
He said those involved in her welfare included a non-profit international foundation dedicated to preserving rhinos from extinction, SOS Rhino, which monitored Puntung while in the Tabin forest since 2007, those who captured her in 2011, and those who cared for Puntung daily. – Bernama